Method and apparatus of core timing prediction of core logic in the chip-level implementation process through an over-core window on a chip-level routing layer

ABSTRACT

A method and/or an apparatus of core timing prediction is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may include generating a core timing model of a core logic that is accurately transferable to any chip-level integration process. The method may reduce performance degradation and/or performance variation of the core logic caused by a number of interactions between core logic components and chip-level components in the chip-level integration process. In addition, the core timing model of the core logic may be generated by filling un-wired tracks with metal in any of an outermost layer of the core logic after a core logic routing and constructing a layer at least an area of and adjacent to any of the outermost layer of the core logic with grounded metal that is orthogonal to those of the metal used in the outermost layer of the core logic.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This is a divisional application and claims priority from U.S. Utilityapplication Ser. No. 11/413,236 titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS OF CORETIMING PREDICTION OF CORE LOGIC IN THE CHIP-LEVEL IMPLEMENTATION PROCESSTHROUGH AN OVER-CORE WINDOW ON A CHIP-LEVEL ROUTING LAYER” filed on Apr.28, 2006.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

This disclosure relates generally to the technical fields ofelectronics, digital circuit technology and electronic design automationand, in one example embodiment, to a method and/or an apparatus of coretiming prediction.

BACKGROUND

A core (e.g., a hard core logic module with fixed, fixed gate placementand routing, etc.) may be used in different top level (e.g., chip-level,etc.) design integration processes (e.g., chip level signal routing,power routing, metal utilization, etc.). The core (e.g., the core logicmodule) level routing (e.g., a signal route, a clock route, a powerroute, and/or an additional metallization) on a chip may take up abottommost layers (e.g., a bottom three layers, etc.) of the chip. Thetop level (e.g., chip-level) routing (e.g., a signal route, a clockroute, a power route, and/or an additional metallization) may take up aremaining layers (e.g., top 4-8 layers, etc.).

A core timing model (CTM) of the core may represent path delays fromcore inputs to core outputs. The core timing model (CTM) of the core isbuilt before a top level integration process (e.g., chip level signalroutes, clock routes, power routes, and/or additional metallization,etc.) during which the top level routing is integrated with the core.Hence, parasitic effects (e.g., a cross-talk and a capacitive coupling,etc.) on the core caused by the top level signal routing (e.g., anover-core routing) may not be captured by the core timing model (CTM).By not capturing the parasitic effects in the core timing model,inaccuracies pertaining to a prediction of parasitic effects (e.g., adelay inaccuracy, a timing failure, and/or a corrupt signal, etc.) maybe introduced.

As such, a number of procedures may need to be carried out during a coretiming model generation process to remedy these inaccuracies. Forexample, a delay prediction range may need to be increased after thecore timing model generation for each design to account for anypotential effects (e.g., cross-talk, and capacitive coupling, etc.) dueto the top level signal routing (e.g., chip level signal routes, clockroutes, power routes, etc.) and/or an additional metallization processduring fabrication. In addition, a flat delay prediction and extractionmay need to be accomplished at the top level (e.g., extraction that willextract chip and core level signal routes, clock routes, power routes,additional metallization, etc.) before performing timing analysis.

However, the assumption may be a poor representation of the actual toplevel signal routing situation resulting in more inaccuracies.Transferability of the same core timing model to other applications mayalso be compromised due to differences in potential effects (e.g.,cross-talk, and capacitive coupling, etc.) resulting from different toplevel (e.g., chip-level) routing. Moreover, these complications may befurther aggravated in a design with the over-core routing (e.g., toplevel routing that may occupy a layer directly above and/or under (e.g.,adjacent to) the core level routing during the top level integrationprocess).

In addition, the top level integration process that omits a layerdirectly adjacent (e.g., directly above and/or directly under) to theoutermost layer carrying the core level routing (e.g., chip level signalroutes, clock routes, power routes, and/or additional metallization,etc.) places many top-level wires in regions due to avoiding over-corerouting. However, by not performing over-core routing during the toplevel (e.g., chip-level, etc.) integration process (e.g., chip levelsignal routes, clock routes, power routes, and/or additionalmetallization, etc.), valuable chip space adjacent to the core may bewasted while aggravating congestion in other regions of the chip. Alonger route (e.g., cannot use straight paths, etc.) may be required asa result of avoiding regions adjacent to (e.g., directly above and/ordirectly below) the core. The longer signal route could potentiallydrastically decrease performance (e.g., decrease an operating frequencyand/or increase interconnect delay, etc.). An additional complicationmay be introduced in satisfying timing constraints due to reducedflexibility in top level routing (e.g., chip level signal routing, clockrouting, power routing, and/or additional metallization, etc.).

SUMMARY

A method and/or an apparatus of core timing prediction is disclosed. Inone aspect, a method may include generating a core timing model of acore logic that is accurately transferable to any chip-level integrationprocess and reducing performance degradation and/or performancevariation of the core logic caused by interactions between core logiccomponents and chip-level components in the chip level integrationprocess.

In addition, the core timing model of the core logic may be generated bymetal filling un-wired tracks in any of an outermost layer of the corelogic after a core logic routing and constructing a layer at least anarea substantially of and adjacent to any of the outermost layer of thecore logic with grounded metal of physical characteristics typical forrouting in the layer.

Additionally, a parasitic environment of the core logic caused by theinteractions between core logic components and chip-level componentspreceding a chip-level integration process may be constructed precedingthe chip-level integration process and reproduced during the chip-levelintegration process. The core timing model of the core logic may begenerated to represent any over-core routing of any chip-levelcomponents preceding the chip-level integration process. A variationrange of the core timing model to represent the over-core routing of thechip-level components may be decreased. A cross-talk effect and acapacitive coupling effect may be reduced and a residual effect may bemodeled. In addition, a fabrication process variation at the chip-levelintegration process on the accuracy of the core timing model may bemitigated.

In another aspect, a method to build a core timing model of a core logicmay include determining a location of all un-wired tracks in anoutermost layer of the core logic after a core logic routing, fillingun-wired tracks in the outermost layer of the core logic with metalafter the core logic routing, and constructing a layer adjacent to theoutermost layer of the core logic with grounded metal orthogonal to apreferred direction of tracks in the outermost layer of the core logic.

In one aspect, a method of a chip-level implementation process includesgenerating a core timing model of each core logic in a chip and/orfilling un-wired tracks of a chip-level routing layer adjacent to thecore logic with grounded metal. An over-core chip-level routing of anyof the layers used in the chip-level implementation process may beperformed. A filled metal in the chip-level routing layer may representa similar parasitic characteristic to the core logic during a generationof the core timing model. The core timing model may be applied togenerate a delay model and/or a cross-talk immune model to anyhierarchical structure independent of logic type.

In yet another aspect, a microelectronic assembly includes severallayers having microchips forming at least a portion of an integratedcircuit die mounted in a package having interconnect ports tooperatively connect to another integrated circuit in the microelectronicassembly. Each microchip may include a microchip substrate, at least onecore logic layer with an outermost core logic layer having a set ofun-wired tracks that are metal filled, and at least one chip levelrouting layer with an outermost chip-level routing layer adjacent to theoutermost core logic layer including another set of un-wired tracks thatare metal filled. The metal filling of the core logic and the metalfilling of the chip-level routing may be types of metal typically usedfor routing in these layers. The metal filling of the chip-level routingmay spatially occupy approximately an area of the core logic. Themicroelectronic may include an over-core routing in at least achip-routing layer.

The methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein may beimplemented in any means for achieving various aspects, and may beexecuted in a form of a machine-readable medium embodying a set ofinstructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine toperform any of the operations disclosed herein. Other features will beapparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detaileddescription that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitationin the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like referencesindicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a portion of a microchip having a corelogic layer and two chip-level routing layers without over-core routing,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 1B is an exploded view of a portion of a microchip having a corelogic layer and two chip-level routing layers with over-core routing,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of a microchip showing a numberof parasitic capacitors due to interactions between a core logic and twochip-level routing layers, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a constructed parasitic environment inwhich a core timing model of a core logic is generated, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 4A-4G are processes involved in generating a core timing model of acore logic and using the core timing model in a chip-level integrationprocess, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a process flow of generating a core timing model of a corelogic that is accurately transferable and/or transferred to a chip-levelintegration process, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a process flow of determining a location of un-wired tracks inany outermost layer of core logic after a core logic routing, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a process flow of generating a core timing model of each corelogic in a chip, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a core timing model creation according toone embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a chip-level integration process design flow,according to one embodiment.

Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from theaccompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method and/or an apparatus of core timing prediction is disclosed. Inthe following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the various embodiments. It will be evident, however toone skilled in the art that the various embodiments may be practicedwithout these specific details.

In one embodiment, a method includes generating a core timing model of acore logic (e.g., a core logic 120 of FIG. 1-4) that is accuratelytransferable to any chip-level integration process (e.g., chip levelsignal routes, clock routes, power routes, and/or additionalmetallization, etc.) and reducing any of a performance degradation andperformance variation of the core logic caused by interactions betweencore logic components and chip-level components (e.g., a parasiticcapacitor 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 of FIG. 2) in the chip-levelintegration process (e.g., chip level signal routing, power routing,and/or metal utilization, etc.).

In another embodiment, a method to build a core timing model may includedetermining a location of un-wired tracks in any of an outermost layer(e.g., a layer 100 of FIGS. 1-4) of the core logic after a core logicrouting, filling unwired tracks (e.g., tracks 306 of FIG. 3) in any ofthe outermost layer of the core logic with metal after the core logicrouting (e.g., routing 106 of FIGS. 1-4), and constructing a layer(e.g., a layer 302 of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4C) adjacent to any of theoutermost layer (e.g., a layer 100 of FIGS. 1-4) of the core logic withgrounded metal (e.g., tracks 308 of FIG. 3) orthogonal to a preferreddirection of tracks in the outermost layer of the core logic.

In yet another embodiment, a method of a chip-level implementationprocess may include generating a core timing model of each core logic(e.g., a core logic 120 of FIGS. 1-4) in a chip and filling un-wiredtracks (e.g., tracks 404 of FIG. 4G) of a chip-level routing layer(e.g., a layer 400 of FIG. 4F-G) adjacent to the core logic (e.g., thecore logic 120 of FIGS. 1-4) with grounded metal.

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a portion of a microchip (e.g., amicrochip 150A) having core logic (e.g., a core logic 120) with a corelogic layer (e.g., a layer 100) and two chip-level routing layers (e.g.,a layer 102A, 104A) without over-core routing, according to oneembodiment. The core logic layer 100 may have routes (e.g., routes 106),the chip-level routing layer 102A may have routes (e.g., a routing 108A)that are thinner and routes (e.g., a routing 110A) that are thicker, andthe chip-level routing layer 104A may have routes (e.g., a routing 112A)that are thinner and routes (e.g. a routing 114A) that is thicker. Theremay be an over-core window (e.g., an over-core window 116A, 118A) on thechip level routing layer (e.g., the layer 102A, 104A) that isapproximately an area of the core logic (e.g., the core logic 120) andapproximately located spatially directly above the core logic (e.g., thecore logic 120). No routing may take place within the over core window(e.g., the over-core window 116A, 118A) of the chip-level routing layer(e.g., the layer 102A, 104A).

FIG. 1B is an exploded view of a portion of a microchip (e.g., amicrochip 150B) having the core logic (e.g., the core logic 120) withthe core logic layer (e.g., the layer 100) and two chip-level routinglayers (e.g., a layer 102B, 104B) with over-core routing, according toone embodiment. The core logic layer 100 may have routes (e.g., routes106), the chip-level routing layer 102B may have routes (e.g., a routing108B) that are thinner and routes (e.g., a route 110B) that are thicker,and the chip-level routing layer 104B may have routes (e.g., routes112B) that are thinner and routes (e.g., a route 114B) that are thicker.There may be an over-core window (e.g., an over-core window 116B, 118B)on the chip level routing layer (e.g., the layer 102B, 104B) that isapproximately an area of the core logic (e.g., the core logic 120) andapproximately located spatially directly above the core logic (e.g., thecore logic 120). There may be routing that takes place within theover-core window (e.g., the over-core window 116B, 118B) of thechip-level routing layer (e.g., the layer 102B, 104B).

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of a microchip (e.g., amicrochip 250) showing a number of parasitic capacitors (e.g., aparasitic capacitor 206, 208, 210, 212, 214) due to interactions betweenan outermost layer (e.g., a layer 100) of a core logic (e.g., a corelogic 120) and two chip-level routing layers (e.g., a layer 202, 204),according to one embodiment. The parasitic capacitors may be due tointeractions of a metal between routes (e.g., a set of routes 106) of acore logic layer (e.g., a layer 100), and routes (e.g., a set of routes216, 218) of the chip-level routing layers (e.g., the layers 202, 204).A capacitor may be formed by two pieces of metal enclosing any region ofdielectric media.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a constructed parasitic environment 300 ofa core logic (e.g., a core logic 120) in which a core timing model of acore logic is generated, according to one embodiment.

In FIG. 3, core logic routes (e.g., a set of routes 106) are shown foran outermost layer (e.g., a layer 100). Un-wired tracks (e.g., a set oftracks 306) of the outermost layer 100 may be filled with groundedmetal. A layer (e.g., a layer 302) may be constructed adjacent to theoutermost layer 100 of the core logic (e.g., the core logic 120) withgrounded metal (e.g., the set of fillings 308) orthogonal to a preferreddirection of tracks in the outermost layer 100 of the core logic. Thegrounded metal (e.g., the set of fillings 308) may reside within a corewindow (e.g., a core window 304) similar to an area of the core logic(e.g., the core logic 120).

A core timing model of the core logic (e.g., the core logic 120) may begenerated after metal filling unwired tracks (e.g., the set of tracks306) in an outermost layer (e.g., the layer 100) of the core logic aftera core logic routing and adding the grounded metal (e.g., the set offillings 308) of the constructed layer (e.g., the layer 302). In thismanner, a parasitic environment (e.g., an environment with parasiticcapacitors, parasitic resistance, etc.) of the core logic caused byinteractions between core logic components and chip-level components(e.g., a parasitic capacitor 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 of FIG. 2) may beconstructed preceding any chip-level integration process (e.g., chiplevel signal routes, clock routes, power routes, additionalmetallization, etc.).

FIG. 4A-4G are processes involved in generating a core timing model of acore logic (e.g., a core logic 120) and using the core timing model in achip level integration process (e.g., chip level signal routes, clockroutes, power routes, adding additional metallization, etc.), accordingto one embodiment. FIG. 4A is an exploded view of core logic (e.g., thecore logic 120). The core logic (e.g., the core logic 120) may have anoutermost layer (e.g., a layer 100) with core logic routes (e.g., a setof routes 106).

FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the core logic (e.g., the core logic 120)with the set of routes 106. A location of un-wired tracks (e.g., a setof tracks 306) in any outermost layer (e.g., the layer 100) of the corelogic (e.g., the core logic 120) may be determined after a core logicrouting. A set of un-wired tracks (e.g., the set of tracks 306) of theoutermost layer (e.g., the layer 100) of the core logic (e.g., the corelogic 120) may be filled with metal to minimize impact of a parasiticenvironment (e.g., cross-talk and a capacitive coupling, etc.) that maybe present after the core logic (e.g., the core logic 120) is used in achip-level integration process (e.g., chip level signal routes, clockroutes, power routes, and/or additional metallization, etc.).

FIG. 4C is a constructed parasitic environment 300 of the core logic(e.g., the core logic 120) in which a core timing model of the corelogic is generated, according to one embodiment. In FIG. 4C, the corelogic routes (e.g., the set of routes 106) are shown for an outermostlayer (e.g., the layer 100). The un-wired tracks (e.g., the set oftracks 306) of the outermost layer 100 may be filled with metal. A layer(e.g., a layer 302) may be constructed adjacent to the outermost layer100 of the core logic (e.g., the core logic 120) with grounded metal(e.g., the set of tracks 308) orthogonal to a preferred direction oftracks in the outermost layer 100 of the core logic. The grounded metal(e.g., the set of fillings 308) may reside within a core window (e.g., acore window 304) substantially similar to an area of the core logic(e.g., the core logic 120).

In FIG. 4D, the core timing model of the core logic (e.g., the corelogic 120) may be generated based on the constructed parasiticenvironment 300 of FIG. 4C. The core timing model represents core timingand may be used for any over-core routing of any chip-level components.A variation range of the core timing model to represent the over-corerouting (e.g., a layer 102B, 104B of FIG. 1B) of any of the chip-levelcomponents may be decreased. A cross-talk effect and/or a capacitivecoupling effect may also be reduced. Performance degradation due to anyof a residual cross-talk effect and/or a capacitive coupling effect maybe modeled. A fabrication process variation (e.g., a dielectricthickness variation, a device dimension variation, a metal dimensionvariation, etc.) on the accuracy of the core timing model may bemitigated.

A delay prediction range may be determined by a static timing analysistool. In 90 nm. Technology and below, a minimum delay value of the delayprediction range may be decreased by 5% and the maximum delay value ofthe delay prediction range may be increased by 2% to account forgrounding gaps and other non-idealities (e.g., incomplete metal filling,etc.). The core timing model may also be used to generate a delay modeland/or a cross-talk immune model of any hierarchical arrangement (e.g.,placing a black box in a higher level design, etc.) independent of logictype.

In FIG. 4E, the layer (e.g., the layer 302) may be removed from theconstructed parasitic environment 300 of the core logic (e.g., the corelogic 120) after the core timing model of the core logic has beengenerated. The core logic (e.g., the core logic 120) with the outermostlayer (e.g., the layer 100) metal filled in the un-wired tracks (e.g.,the set of tracks 306) and with the core logic routing (e.g., the set oftracks 106) maybe used in a chip-level integration process (e.g., chiplevel signal routes, clock routes, power routes, additionalmetallization, etc.).

FIG. 4F is an exploded view of the core logic (e.g., the core logic 120)utilized in a chip-level integration process (e.g., chip level signalroutes, clock routes, power routes, etc.) where chip-level routing isperformed in a chip-level routing layer (e.g., the layer 400) adjacentto the outermost core logic layer (e.g., the layer 100). The outermostcore logic layer (e.g., the layer 100) may have core logic routes (e.g.,the routes 106) and metal filled un-wired tracks (e.g., the set oftracks 306). The chip-level routing layer (e.g., the layer 400) may havea set of routes (e.g., a set of routes 402).

FIG. 4G is an exploded view of the core logic (e.g., the core logic 120)utilized in a chip-level integration process (e.g., chip level signal,clock route, power route, etc.) where chip-level routing is performed inthe chip-level routing layer (e.g., the layer 400) adjacent to theoutermost core logic layer (e.g., the layer 100). The outermost corelogic layer (e.g., the layer 100) may have core logic routes (e.g., theroutes 106) and metal filled un-wired tracks (e.g., the set of tracks306). The chip-level routing layer (e.g., the layer 400) may have a setof routes (e.g., a set of routes 402) for (e.g., signal, clock, power,etc. . . . )

A set of un-wired tracks (e.g., a set of tracks 404) may be metal filledto reproduce the parasitic environment 300 constructed during which thecore timing model was generated. The filled metal (e.g., the set oftracks 404) in the chip-level routing layer (e.g., the layer 400) usedin the outermost layer (e.g., the layer 100) of the core logic isoriented orthogonal to a preferred direction of tracks in the outermostlayer of each core logic. The metal filling of the core logic and themetal filling of the chip-level routing may also be same types of metal.

As such, the chip-level routes (e.g., the set of tracks 402 and the setof tracks 404) represent a typical routing for this layer. The parasiticenvironment (e.g., a parasitic capacitor 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 of FIG.2) of the core logic (e.g., the core logic 120) caused by interactionsbetween core logic components and chip-level components (e.g., aparasitic capacitor 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 of FIG. 2) during anychip-level integration process (e.g., chip level signal routes, clockroutes, power routes, and/or additional metallization, etc.) may be thusreproduced.

The core timing model generated for the core logic (e.g., the core logic120) before the chip-level integration process (e.g., chip level signalroutes, clock routes, power routes, and/or additional metallization,etc.) may be used to perform timing analysis after the chip-levelintegration process (e.g., chip level signal routes, clock routes, powerroutes, and/or additional metallization, etc.). The core timing modelmay be applied to generate a delay model and/or a cross-talk immunemodel for any hierarchical structure (e.g., placing a black box in ahigher level design, etc.) independent of logic type.

FIG. 5 is a process flow of generating a core timing model of a corelogic that is accurately transferable (and/or transferred) to achip-level integration process (e.g., chip level signal routes, clockroutes, power routes, and/or additional metallization, etc.), accordingto one embodiment.

In operation 502, a core timing model of core logic (e.g., a core logic120 of FIGS. 1-4) that is accurately transferable to any chip-levelintegration process (e.g., chip level signal routes, power routes, metalutilization, etc.) may be generated. In operation 504, a performancedegradation and/or a performance variation of the core logic (e.g., thecore logic 120 of FIGS. 1-4) caused by interactions between core logiccomponents (e.g., a set of routes 106 of FIGS. 1-4) and chip-levelcomponents (e.g., a set of routes 216, 218 of FIG. 2) in a chip-levelintegration process (e.g., chip level signal routes, power routes, metalutilization, etc.).

In operation 506, the core timing model of the core logic may begenerated by metal filling un-wired tracks (e.g., a set of tracks 306 ofFIGS. 3-4) in an outermost layer (e.g., a layer 100) of the core logicafter a core logic routing. In operation 508, a layer (e.g., a layer 302of FIG. 3) at least an area substantially of and adjacent to anoutermost layer (e.g., the layer 100 of FIGS. 1-4) of the core logic(e.g., the core logic 120 of FIGS. 1-4) with grounded metal (e.g., a setof tracks 308 of FIG. 3) of physical characteristics similar to a metalused in the outermost layer of the core logic routes may be constructed.In operation 510, a parasitic environment (e.g., parasitic capacitors206-214 of FIG. 2) of the core logic caused by the interactions betweenthe core logic components (e.g., the set of routes 106 of FIGS. 1-4) andthe chip-level components (e.g., the set of routes 216, 218 of FIG. 2)preceding any chip-level integration process may be generated.

In operation 512, the parasitic environment of the core logic (e.g., thecore logic 120 of FIG. 1) caused by any of the interactions between thecore logic components (e.g., the set of routes 106 of FIGS. 1-4) and thechip-level components (e.g., the set of routes 216, 218 of FIG. 2)during any chip-level integration process (e.g., chip level signalroutes, power routes, and/or metal utilization, etc.) may be reproduced.In operation 514, the core timing model of the core logic (e.g., thecore logic 120 of FIG. 1) to represent any over-core routing precedingthe chip-level integration process (e.g., chip level signal routes,power routes, and/or metal utilization, etc.) may be generated.

FIG. 6 is a process flow of determining a location of un-wired tracks inany outermost layer of core logic after a core logic routing, accordingto one embodiment. In operation 602, a location of un-wired tracks(e.g., a set of tracks 306 of FIGS. 3-4) in any outermost layer (e.g., alayer 100 of FIGS. 1-4) of core logic (e.g., core logic 120 of FIGS.1-4) after a core logic routing may be determined. In operation 604, theun-wired tracks (e.g., the set of tracks 306 of FIG. 3-4) in anoutermost layer (e.g., the layer 100 of FIGS. 1-4) of the core logic(e.g., the core logic 120 of FIGS. 1-4) may be filled with metal afterthe core logic routing.

In operation 606, a layer (e.g., a layer 302 of FIG. 3) adjacent to anoutermost layer (e.g., the layer 100 of FIGS. 1-4) of the core logic maybe constructed with grounded metal orthogonal to a preferred directionof tracks (e.g., the set of tracks 106 of FIGS. 1-4) in the outermostlayer (e.g., the layer 100 of FIGS. 1-4) of the core logic. In operation608, the layer adjacent to the outermost layer (e.g., the layer 302 ofFIG. 3) may be removed after the core timing model of the core logic hasbeen generated. In operation 610, a delay prediction range may bedetermined by a static timing analysis.

FIG. 7 is a process flow of generating a core timing model of each corelogic in a chip (e.g., a microchip 150A-B of FIGS. 1A-B), according toone embodiment. In operation 702, a core timing model of each core logic(e.g., the core logic 120 of FIGS. 1-4) in a chip (e.g., a microchip150A-B of FIG. 1) maybe generated. In operation 704, un-wired tracks(e.g., a set of tracks 404 of FIG. 4G of a chip-level routing layer(e.g. a layer 400 of Figures F-G) adjacent to the core logic may befilled with grounded metal. In operation 706, the core timing model ofeach logic may be used to perform timing analysis (e.g., determine apath delay) during the chip-level integration process. In operation 708,the core timing model may be applied to generate a delay model and/or across-talk immune model to any hierarchical structure (e.g., placing ablack box in a higher level design, etc.) independent of logic type.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a core timing model creation according toone embodiment. In operation 802, the core (e.g., the core logic 120 ofFIGS. 1-4) in a chip (e.g., a microchip 150A-B of FIG. 1) may bedesigned. In operation 804, all empty tracks in layer N (e.g., the layer100 of FIGS. 1-4) may be filled with metal. In operation 806, in a layerN+1 (e.g., a layer 302 of FIG. 3) above the core (e.g., the core logic120 of FIGS. 1-4) in a chip (e.g., a microchip 150A B of FIG. 1), groundmesh may be added.

In operation 808, a parasitic value in the core may be extracted. Inoperation 810, a minimum and maximum path delay may be found usingstatic timing analysis. In operation 812, the grounded mesh in the layerN+1 (e.g., a layer 302 of FIG. 3) above the core (e.g., the core logic120 of FIGS. 1-4) may be removed. In operation 814, a core frame-viewmay be generated. In operation 816, all minimum path delays may bedecreased by some small percentage (e.g., 5%). In operation 818, allmaximum path delays may be increased by some small percentage (e.g.,2%). In operation 820, the core timing model may be formed.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a chip-level integration process design flow,according to one embodiment. In operation 902, a core (e.g., the corelogic 120 of FIGS. 1-4) may be instantiated. In operation 904, adetailed routing in the chip level integration process (e.g., chip levelsignal routes, clock routes, power routes, and/or additionalmetallization, etc.) may be performed using over-core metal layers(e.g., layers N+1, N+2, etc.).

In operation 906, empty tracks in layer N+1 above the core (e.g., thecore logic 120 of FIGS. 1-4) may be filled with grounded mesh. Inoperation 908, chip-level additional metal may be added. In operation910, a core timing model may be used for top level timing analysis(e.g., determine a path delay) and sign off

Although the present embodiments have been described with reference tospecific example embodiments, it will be evident that variousmodifications and changes may be made to these embodiments withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments.For example, the various devices, modules, analyzers, generators, etc.described herein may be enabled and operated using hardware circuitry(e.g., CMOS based logic circuitry), firmware, software and/or anycombination of hardware, firmware, and/or software (e.g., embodied in amachine readable medium). For example, the various electrical structureand methods may be embodied using transistors, logic gates, andelectrical circuits (e.g., application specific integrated ASICcircuitry).

In addition, it will be appreciated that the various operations,processes, and methods disclosed herein may be embodied in amachine-readable medium and/or a machine accessible medium compatiblewith a data processing system (e.g., a computer system), and may beperformed in any order. Accordingly, the specification and drawings areto be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A method for generating a core timing model of a core logic through a computing system, the method comprising: determining a location of un-wired tracks in an outermost layer of the core logic after a core logic routing; metal filling the un-wired tracks after the core logic routing; constructing an adjacent layer that is adjacent to the outermost layer of the core logic, the constructing of the adjacent layer including orienting a grounded metal in the adjacent layer in an orientation that is orthogonal to a direction of the un-wired tracks; and generating at least one of a delay model and a cross-talk immune model of a hierarchical arrangement independent of any logic type through said computing system.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal filling of the un-wired tracks includes filling the un-wired tracks with a metal including substantially similar physical characteristics to the grounded metal.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the constructing of the adjacent layer includes constructing the adjacent layer including a core window that approximately occupies an area of the core logic, wherein the grounded metal resides in the core window.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the constructing of the adjacent layer includes constructing the adjacent layer including a chip-level routing layer having a set of routes configured to provide chip-level routing.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the set of routes of the chip-level routing layer is configured to provide at least one of chip-level signal routes, clock routes, and power routes.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the grounded metal in the chip-level routing layer represents a similar parasitic characteristic of the core logic during generation of the core timing model.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating the core timing model based on a parasitic capacitance due to an interaction between the outermost layer of the core logic and the adjacent layer.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: removing the adjacent layer after the core timing model of the core logic has been generated.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating of the core timing model includes utilizing a static timing analysis tool.
 10. The method of claim 1, including utilizing the core timing model to decrease a minimum delay value of a delay model prediction range by 5% and to increase a maximum delay value of the delay model prediction range by 2% to account for grounding gaps and other non-idealities.
 11. An integrated circuit representation on a computer system comprising: a microchip substrate; a core logic layer including an outermost core logic layer having a set of un-wired tracks that are metal filled based on determining a location of the set of un-wired tracks; and a chip-level routing layer adjacent to the outermost chip-level routing layer, the chip-level routing layer including another set of un-wired tracks that are metal filled, and the chip-level routing layer being constructed through orienting a grounded metal in an orientation that is orthogonal to a direction of the un-wired tracks, wherein at least one of a delay model and a cross-talk immune model of a hierarchical arrangement of a high-level representation of the integrated chip is configured to be generated through the computing system independent of any logic type.
 12. The integrated circuit representation of claim 11, wherein a first metal filling of the set of un-wired tracks is typical for the core logic layer and a second metal filling of the other set of un-wired tracks is typical for the chip-level routing layer.
 13. The integrated circuit representation of claim 12, wherein the first metal filling of the set of un-wired tracks and the second metal filling of the other set of un-wired tracks include a same metal.
 14. The integrated circuit representation of claim 12, wherein the chip-level routing layer includes a core window, and wherein the second metal filling of the chip-level routing layer resides in the core window.
 15. The integrated circuit representation of claim 14, wherein the core window of the chip-level routing layer spatially occupies, at least substantially, an area of the core logic.
 16. The integrated circuit representation of claim 11, wherein a core timing model for the core logic layer that is generated through the computing system based on the metal filled set of un-wired tracks of the core logic layer, and the metal filled other set of un-wired tracks of the chip-level routing layer, represents an over-core routing in the chip-level routing layer.
 17. The integrated circuit representation of claim 16, wherein the core timing model is configured to be used in over-core routing of a plurality of different chip-level arrangements.
 18. The integrated circuit representation of claim 11, wherein the chip-level routing layer includes a set of routes configured to provide at least one of signal routes, clock routes and power routes. 